Introduction to Maya 2025: UV Toolkit
Texturing Fundamentals using Maya & ZBrush with Eric Keller
Description
Mastering the creation, editing, and layout of UV texture coordinates is fundamental for anyone involved in modeling and texturing. These coordinates are essential as they dictate how 2D textures map onto 3D surfaces, playing a pivotal role in nearly every computer graphics pipeline, from gaming to visual effects, and even motion graphics. Maya's UV Toolkit offers a comprehensive suite of tools, refined across numerous software updates. This workshop provides an in-depth analysis of the toolkit, examining each tool, option, and setting available, along with insights into the UV Editor itself.
The detailed tutorial begins with the first 11 chapters focusing on a thorough walkthrough of the UV toolkit. Instructor Eric Keller explains and demonstrates each function from the top of the interface to the bottom, detailing the UV Editor's layout and highlighting special tools found on the UV Editor shelf. From chapters 12 to 17, he shifts to a practical application using a character model to demonstrate how these tools are utilized in real-world scenarios.
You'll learn how UVs are created and laid out for different parts of a model, including the body and clothing. Remember, the methods to create and arrange UVs vary greatly depending on the end use of the model. While these examples showcase the toolkit in action, they are not prescriptive but rather illustrative of various techniques. In the concluding chapter, Eric shares some advanced tips and strategies for managing UV texture coordinates in Maxon’s ZBrush.
Duration: 4h 37m
Format: HD 1920x1080
Eric Keller
CG artist
Eric Keller is a veteran Freelance CG artist with over twenty-five years of experience creating models for feature films, episodic TV, scientific visualization, planetarium shows, VR, AR, 3D printing, and jewelry design. Eric has worked as a visual effects artist on commercials, television, games, and feature films for decades, with credits including John Wick: Chapter 4, Predator: Badlands, Aquaman, and The Haunting of Hill House.
Eric has also taught at Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Games, and Animation, covering Maya and ZBrush, and has written highly rated books and tutorials on both programs. His instructional work has appeared in leading industry publications such as 3D World, and he has been invited as a guest lecturer at Harvard Medical School, sharing his expertise on 3D modeling and visualization techniques.
